Betsy Hershberg, author of Betsy Beads: Confessions of a Left-Brained Knitter, discovered the adventurous artist inside her ... and you will too. In Brilliant Knit Beads, Betsy shows you how to turn simple 2-D swatches into sparkling, one-of-a-kind beads and necklaces, read charts and master knitting on a small scale. You'll learn how to choose the perfect fibers and beads, two easy techniques for knitting pre-strung beads between and onto stitches, and four different kinds of knitted, beaded "wrappers." Betsy's techniques are perfect for skilled knitters or ambitious beginners. You'll pick up lots of innovative techniques that you can use in other knitting projects, including the provisional crocheted cast-on, the Kitchener graft and the zipper graft, which creates a seamless join for bead-knit fabric. Unclasp your creativity and design an infinite array of beads and jewelry!

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet Betsy Hershberg and hear about her creative journey. Get a preview of the techniques and projects you'll encounter in this class.

41:43

Lesson 2. Yarns & Beads

Betsy details all of the supplies you'll need for this class, including her favorite fibers, tools and sources for yarn, beads and findings.

13:55

Lesson 3. Bead Stringing & Chart Reading

Learn the basics of stringing beads and reading charts. Betsy shows you how to double-check your work and fix mistakes right away.

41:15

Lesson 4. Sliding Beads Between Stitches

Betsy demonstrates several different ways to move your beads into position between knitted stitches. Diagrams for these patterns are in your downloadable materials.

43:27

Lesson 5. Plain Knitted Bead

Betsy shows you how to make the basic knitted bead, including hints on getting gauge, the provisional cast-on and how to use the Kitchener graft to finish your bead.

33:42

Lesson 6. Bead Knitted Bead

Knit a bead with beads! Add sparkle and shine with seed beads. You'll learn how to choose the right beads and incorporate them into your knitting.

29:38

Lesson 7. Beads Knit on Stitches

Another approach to beads on beads. Betsy shows you how to integrate your beads into the knitted fabric.

48:34

Lesson 8. Tubular Wrapper

Learn to knit beads in the round. Betsy shows you step-by-step how to determine gauge and how to work both left-slanted and right-slanted stitches in a tubular wrap.

39:14

Lesson 9. Project Applications

Let's have fun with all the things you can do with your beautiful knitted beads. You'll learn how to string them, attach a clasp and incorporate other materials such as stones, glass and resin beads into your jewelry.

31:14

Lesson 10. Bonus

As a bonus, Betsy teaches the sinuous Python necklace!

"Betsy presents the materials, techniques, and projects in a clear and well paced manner. She is engaging and easy to listen to. I have had the book and made several projects before taking this class and I feel like I have met Betsy through the class. I have taken knitting classes in person many times and the Craftsy experience is equally good." - TLHmarie

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Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet Betsy Hershberg and hear about her creative journey. Get a preview of the techniques and projects you'll encounter in this class.

41:43

Lesson 2. Yarns & Beads

Betsy details all of the supplies you'll need for this class, including her favorite fibers, tools and sources for yarn, beads and findings.

13:55

Lesson 3. Bead Stringing & Chart Reading

Learn the basics of stringing beads and reading charts. Betsy shows you how to double-check your work and fix mistakes right away.

41:15

Lesson 4. Sliding Beads Between Stitches

Betsy demonstrates several different ways to move your beads into position between knitted stitches. Diagrams for these patterns are in your downloadable materials.

43:27

Lesson 5. Plain Knitted Bead

Betsy shows you how to make the basic knitted bead, including hints on getting gauge, the provisional cast-on and how to use the Kitchener graft to finish your bead.

33:42

Lesson 6. Bead Knitted Bead

Knit a bead with beads! Add sparkle and shine with seed beads. You'll learn how to choose the right beads and incorporate them into your knitting.

29:38

Lesson 7. Beads Knit on Stitches

Another approach to beads on beads. Betsy shows you how to integrate your beads into the knitted fabric.

48:34

Lesson 8. Tubular Wrapper

Learn to knit beads in the round. Betsy shows you step-by-step how to determine gauge and how to work both left-slanted and right-slanted stitches in a tubular wrap.

39:14

Lesson 9. Project Applications

Let's have fun with all the things you can do with your beautiful knitted beads. You'll learn how to string them, attach a clasp and incorporate other materials such as stones, glass and resin beads into your jewelry.

31:14

Lesson 10. Bonus

As a bonus, Betsy teaches the sinuous Python necklace!

The instructor

Betsy Hershberg, Instructor of Brilliant Knit Beads

Betsy Hershberg is a lifelong knitter whose world was turned upside-down and inside-out when she learned how to bead knit in 2002. As ideas for combining beads and fiber began to take over her knitting brain, she found herself on an unexpected journey which has forever altered the way she thinks about her "left-brained" self and the creative process. She is thrilled to share some of these discoveries, along with unique bead knitting techniques, projects and patterns, in "Betsy Beads: Confessions of a Left-brained Knitter" (XRX Books, 2012). Her work has been featured in Knitter's Magazine, Knitting Universe and Vogue Knitting.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(24 reviews)

Scared To Start!

by Cowkitty on March 28, 2015

So much great information! I learned a lot about how to begin knit beading. I can start!

So much great information! I learned a lot about how to begin knit beading. I can start!

Spectacular Results

by Andrea McIntyre on March 24, 2015

I am so happy with my first project. Betsy's instruction is excellent, so are the hand outs. You'll be amazed by your own work!

I am so happy with my first project. Betsy's instruction is excellent, so are the hand outs. You'll be amazed by your own work!

Beginning Knit Beads

by monkpatsy4796875 on March 8, 2015

This is ...as my other Craftsy online classes, simply awesome!Looking forward to diving into the 'how to' ☺️

This is ...as my other Craftsy online classes, simply awesome!Looking forward to diving into the 'how to' ☺️

Wonderful Class

by Pat Chase on January 2, 2015

Wonderful teacher.....great step by step instruction. Love the class set up and ability to add notes!

Wonderful teacher.....great step by step instruction. Love the class set up and ability to add notes!

If you can knit and purl in the round, are comfortable on double-pointed needles, and can work a long-tail cast-on and a traditional bind-off, you're ready to take the leap into brilliantly beaded creations.